Communities

C-Free will actively solicit input from communities on proposed wind developments. Although wind energy is carbon-free power, C-Free will still undertake environmental studies to minimize any impact on the environment. Birds and bats occasionally collide with wind turbines just as they do with all other tall structures. Although this was a problem for early wind farms, improved technology and better site design have significantly reduced bird mortalities. Also, studies have demonstrated that wind power has a low overall impact as it contributes less than one mortality for every 10,000 human-related sources of bird mortality.

Noise was an issue with early turbine designs but has been largely eliminated with improved engineering and the appropriate use of setbacks from residences. Modern utility-scale turbines typically turn slowly, in the range of 15-32 rpm so the sound of the rotors is “swoosh, swoosh” – not mechanical. One can have a normal conversation at the base of the tower without raising your voice and a turbine at 300 metres away is about the noise level of a kitchen refrigerator. Visual impacts can be minimized through careful design.

C-Free will organize an open-house and information sessions with your community and other stakeholders to ensure that everyone is fully informed of any proposed wind development. C-Free's wind farms benefit communities by providing a source of income for landowners and additional property tax revenues for the municipality.

If your community is interested in learning more about wind farms or C-Free, please call 403 230 5124 or send an email to info@carbonfreepower.com.